This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Problems reside in the total integrated power management module. TPIM whereas vehicle will shut off while driving. No indicator lights to give warning before the vehicle shuts off. Has on occasion shut off and recovered power multiple times within a minute This is a very dangerous scenario to conduct a road test or have someone confirm the issue on the road.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who recharged the battery, but could not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to mark thomas motors Inc (2315 santiam hwy SE, albany, or 97322) where the dealer stated that the vehicle had the wrong battery, and changed the battery. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to mark thomas motors where it was diagnosed that the PCM, alternator, and wiring harness failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred once again. The vehicle was taken back to mark thomas motors and was still there at the time the complaint was filed. The dealer unable to replicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and the case manager stated that they likely could not assist because the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 93,500.
Car looses power, dash lights turn on and off, occasionally turns completely off while driving. All power turns off including throttle and braking power. All lights in car dash light up and flicker while driving. This has gotten worse and happens everyday and everytime car is driven. Has been happening for the past 6 months.
There are a few issues with my car and the local dealer says they may be related. Stalling while driving: This has happened twice within 2-3 months. First time I was on a highway off ramp slowing to stop. Not sure of my speed, but I noticed it stalled as I was almost to the light. I stopped and the car started up fine. The second time was 1-2 months later in Jan. 2017. I was driving in town about 30 mph and shifted (automatic) from 3rd to drive. I pushed the gas to speed up and realized the car had stalled. Once again it started back up just fine. Malfunctioning instrument cluster: This has been an intermittent problem since probably 2011 or 2012. The dials on the gauges will swing back and forth wildly. Dash light will flash on and off. Sometimes the cluster makes a popping sound like it is popping popcorn inside there. Trouble starting: For a few years now (possibly matching the timing of the cluster problem) it can take 2-3 tries to start the car. This is intermittent. I don't hear a sound that it is struggling to start, it just does nothing when I turn the key. Horn malfunctioning: This has only happened a few times, but when I go to give a quick honk, it sticks and sounds like I'm giving someone a loooong honk. The stalling while driving is obviously a safety risk. The local dealer said I should get the instrument cluster replaced with a refurbished one because it could be causing the stalling. "electrical problems can cause strange things to happen" I was told. I bought my car brand new and have taken very good care of it. Other than for tires, I only take it to the Chrysler dealer. It has only 54,000 miles. It is a great car, until now. I can no longer drive my toddler son in it for fear of an accident. I spent $700 on maintenance & repairs a month ago and now the dealer wants me to spend about $550 on something that may take care of the stalling.
The engine will not turn over, all other power seems to be on. Taken to mechanic and it will start. Had it for a few days and it did the same thing. I had to pay for two tows so far, and they are saying that it turns on for them. I'm seventy years old and afraid to drive this car, because it might do it again when I'm further away from home. I live alone and drive the car alone. Each time the car was parked.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
While driving the vehicle at any time, on a city street or highway, all of the lights on the cluster would light up, all gauges would fluncuatate and the car would stall and shut off. I have taken vehicle to independent mechanics and a certified Chrysler service center and the problem is not able to be resolved. This issue causes concern and is effecting my transportation for employment and creating fear of driving the vehicle on highways.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving at any speed, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and all the warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure intermittently occurred two minutes after the vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that the failure manually needed to be restarted in some instances of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired.the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that the headlights were not working properly, the turn signals did not work, the horn sounded without warning, and the windshield wipers did not work. The vehicle was taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 123,417.
-airbags lights are always on. -at times turning car off the fan will remain on till power drained. -while driving, all the lights on dash will turn on and car will shut down. This has happened countless times. After awhile the car will turn back on and be perfectly normal again to drive until this reoccurs.
This has happened about 3-4 times while driving and at starting the car..lights start flashing and bells ring on the dash indicating trouble with the steering control, seat belts, oil, etc...the engine has not died yet, but now that I have read that this appears to be a happening to a lot of cars I am leary of taking the car a long distance. I have not made a complaint to the dealer, but intend to do so this week..my car only has 42,000 miles.
I was coming home from work and driving down the street when the lights on the dashboard went out, the gas gauge went to zero and the car just died. I lost power steering and braking and I was lucky there was no one behind me at the time. The key was locked in the steering wheel and I could not restart. I called 911 for help as cars were now zooming up behind me stalled in the lane. I was so scared that someone would hit me. I sat waiting for the tow truck for about 15 minutes when the lights suddenly came on again and the gas gauge went back to full. I tried to start it and it started right up. I was able to drive it 2 blocks home. The next day I drove to the cleaners and while trying to park it died in the parking lot. I again waited and it finally started again. I took it to the Chrysler dealership and they say they can find nothing wrong. They suggested I junk it for about $100. I have also taken to an independent mechanic and he said he could not find a problem. I see there are others who have reported a similar problem. And now there is a Chrysler recall on other 2008 models with what seems like the same problem. I cannot drive this car because it is unsafe in traffic.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, all the instrument panel lights illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The dealer diagnosed that the instrument cluster and wires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,274.
While driving, the instrument warning lights start flashing off and on, the gauges drop to zero then com back up, and the engine falters sometimes and stops other times. When engine stops, power steering is lost. Car will start up again with starter.
I was driving in traffic when all of the dash lights came on and the engine quit running. At that time I lost all steering and braking for the vehicle. It has happened about 10 times since then, twice while I was on the highway.
Same as other owners, dash lights go on, gauges die, and car shuts off. It will restart after a bit and run fine until boom it happens again. No check engine lights or codes so dealer and shops cannot find problem. Some even refuse to look at the car. I can not trust this car for any long trip or on the freeway.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gauges would suddenly malfunction and display erroneous information before the vehicle stalled. After restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate normally before the failure recurred. Also, the contact indicated that an electrical burning odor was present inside the vehicle during the incidences. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Car has had repeated issues with all warning lights coming on while driving and speedometer, tachometer and gas gauge all going dead. After a moment the gauges come back to life and the warning lights go off. It looks like the car was just started. The engine keeps running and the radio, wipers, etc all continue to function. Issue is confined to the instrumentation panel. This can occur several times and then go for days without happening. I am not able to 'force' the condition and get it to occur on demand so the dealership is unable to address the issue. Internet searches reveal a number of possible issues including ignition switch and the totally integrated power module - I would just like to get it fixed so the car will be safe. This youtube video is very similar to what occurs with my car - https://www.youtube.com/watch"V=xovo0sic9bk or https://www.youtube.com/watch"V=fcim1aypbhi.
While driving all instrument gauges began flashing and going up and down. Could not accelerate. Was able to pull over and turn off ignition. Restarted and proceeded on my way with no further problems. 3 days later while driving 70 mph down a busy interstate it happened again. I jiggled the key in the ignition and everything went back to normal. I was able to replicate the issue by jiggling the ignition switch. This incident occurred on 4 separate occasions. Took vehicle to dealer and no codes were found. Had the ignition switch replaced and after 1 week have not had the problem again. The ignition switch has always been easy to move and now with a new switch it feels "normal". with the recent recalls of ignition switch issues perhaps this needs to be investigated on Chrysler models. This could cause serious injury and/or death if the engine stalls completely in traffic. Not to mention the fact of having no steering control if the engine does stall. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Arnold, MD, USA